The Latest Census Data: 2016

I am not a big fan of statistics but these figures are worth noting. Today there are more seniors over age 65 than children under age 14. Not only are we living longer but adults over 100 years of age are the fastest growing age group. Today’s life expectancy is 80 years for men and 84 years for women. Good news if you are a single fellow. There are nearly twice as many older women (85 +) than men; and if you are over 100 years of age this ratio increases to 5:1.

According to the 2016 Census, these older seniors( aged 85+) represent 2.2% of the Canadian population. This number is still behind Japan which has 4% of its total population aged 85 and better. Hold on to your hat because when the youngest of these boomers reaches age 85 (in 2051), this will represent 5.7% of the Canadian population.

By 2031 almost 1 in 4 Canadians will be 65 years of age and older. Only a few years later we have been informed that by 2038, 2.8% of the Canadian population will have dementia. (Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canada 2010). In this same year “62% of Canadians (65+) with dementia will be living in their own homes and the total number of hours of informal care will more than triple, increasing from approximately 231 million hours in 2008, to 756 million hours.”

I hope you are paying attention to these numbers. This has implications for all of us. The demands on our resources and time will increase, including the demands on the family caregiver, the demands on the medical and health care systems will increase and the demand for appropriate housing will increase.

This latest census data tells us that there are fewer young people. I can only wonder who will be taking care of us and how are we going to be able to take care of each other?

Audrey Miller also blogs at:

I often meet with clients who wish to have Wills prepared which provide for trusts for their children. After explaining the nature of a testamentary trust to the clients, I typically recommend that they select a set age that the child is to receive the capital (or the remainder thereof)...
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